The loss for the Razorbacks (17-11, 5-8) is their second straight at home after opening the season 17-0 in Bud Walton Arena. BJ Young led Arkansas with 21 points and five assists.

Alabama lost its first two games without Green and Mitchell, falling at LSU and at home to No. 12 Florida. However, the Crimson Tide bounced back in its last game, a 62-50 win over Tennessee last Saturday.

Green was reinstated earlier this week, but Alabama coach Anthony Grant elected to keep the senior out at least one more game. Making matters worse in the first half against the Razorbacks, freshman Trevor Lacey went to the bench with a leg injury after scoring eight early points.

Arkansas appeared as though it was ready to take advantage of the missing Alabama pieces early, taking a 33-21 lead after Julysses Nobles’ second 3-pointer of the half. The Razorbacks opened the game by hitting their first six 3-pointers, including 3 of 3 by Young, and were 8 of 11 from behind the arc in the first half.

The freshman, who scored a career-high 31 points in Arkansas’ season-worst 98-68 loss to Florida the last time out, hit his first four shots against the Crimson Tide and scored 17 points in the first half.

However, after Young’s fourth 3-pointer of the half put the Razorbacks up 37-31, Arkansas went 9:13 without a field goal.

The Crimson Tide trailed 39-35 before closing the half on a 10-2 run. It then opened the second half on a 9-0 run, capped by a drive and basket by Cooper — who finished in double figures for only the third time this season.

By the time Arkansas finally hit another field goal, Mardracus Wade’s basket on the fast break, Alabama led 54-43 and had taken control.

The Razorbacks closed to within 71-66 in the closing minutes after a three-point play by Wade, but the Crimson Tide held on late.

Alabama equaled its season high in shooting percentage, hitting 27 of 49 (55.1 percent) from the field. The Crimson Tide went 6 of 11 on 3-pointers.

Battered, bruised but winners

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Sarah Watkins hit a layup with eight seconds on the clock to force overtime and Lyndsay Harris dropped in two buckets during overtime to give Arkansas a 72-71 win over No. 9/11 Tennessee.

The Razorbacks (21-6, 10-5 SEC) scored the final four points in the win, the program’s first in Knoxville.

“They came out and played four-minute games and just never gave up,” Arkansas head coach Tom Collen said. “We shot 50 percent from the floor and we picked a good time to do it.”

Arkansas’ first half effort was fantastic as they held 31-26 lead at the break. Harris had 11 points to lead all scorers in the first 20 minutes, but Arkansas’ aggressive play racked up nine fouls. The Razorbacks shot 57.9 percent (11-for-19) in the first half and did a good job defensively as they held Tennessee to 9-for-20 (45 percent) from the floor and forced 10 Lady Vol turnovers.

Tennessee came out much more aggressive defensively in the second half, where it outscored Arkansas 36-31. But Watkins’ layup allowed Arkansas to hold on and force the extra period.

The Razorbacks finished the game 25-for-50 (50 percent) from the floor with eight 3-pointers. The win is Arkansas’ fourth of the season over a ranked opponent.

“It’s an outstanding win,” Collen said. “I’m so proud of our players. They proved to themselves they can play with anyone in the country.”

Arkansas will travel to South Carolina on Sunday to close out the SEC regular season.